THE 10 MOST RELEVANT OAXACA HANDICRAFTS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The crafts of Oaxaca attract both local and foreign. Its picturesque artisan manifestations include textiles, ceramic objects, wood and minerals.

Oaxaca is one of the more than thirty states that make up the Mexican nation, and is among the 10 most populous. This state has preserved in its territories a historical multiculturalism that brings together more than fifteen aboriginal ethnic groups.

Currently these cultural qualities are manifested in the different types of artisan products that are made for trade. Although in many towns the production has already been industrialized, the manufacturing customs of some of these products are still maintained.

The purpose is to preserve that historical and aboriginal essence that is represented in many of these pieces. For this reason, the crafts of Oaxaca go beyond being a simple souvenir for tourists.

The 10 most popular crafts in Oaxaca

1- Ceramics and utensils in black, red and green clay

In different regions of the state of Oaxaca, clay work with some pigments has taken root, which give the final product a much more picturesque character.

Following the tradition of ceramic work of many original cultures, generations of these peoples have maintained the legacy by making multiple objects and utensils.

The work in black clay is one of the most popular in San Bartolo de Coyotepec, where pots and pots are usually made using a traditional method by hand: the pieces are molded, scraped, baked and polished before being ready for use. sale.

The inhabitants of the town prepare underground ovens where these objects are introduced for a whole day.

In the case of green clay, it is in Santa María Atzompa where the production of this type of crafts is more frequent.

Using different techniques, pastillage and draft, various containers and utensils (kitchen, gardening and home) are made of glazed slab with a striking green color.

On the other hand, in San Marcos de Tlapazola red clay crafts predominate, very traditional and similar to that of other Latin American nations.

This style of working on terracotta produces pots, pots, glasses and other utensils whose tonal uniformity gives a fairly traditional feel.

2- Palm handicrafts

With a much more rudimentary aesthetic, the artisan products made of palm can recall the first utilitarian confections of the original cultures.

Today its production is quite informal and picturesque; palm objects can be found in the streets and markets of cities and towns.

In the case of Oaxaca, these are characteristics of the Mixtec region. The most popular objects made of palm are usually baskets, purses, hats and vases, among others.

3- Wooden masks

Wood crafts are common in Oaxaca, as well as in other Mexican states.

In Santa María de Huazolotitlán, the making and marketing of handmade wooden masks is the most popular.

These usually represent animal faces and figures, and have a ceremonial function in local festivals.

Although they also make masks of human representations, it is much more common to find panthers, lions and tigers.

4- Lead figurines

This craft has recreational or recreational purposes and is usually produced in the city of Tlaxiaco. These lead miniatures are carefully made to be part of toy store assemblies or to offer for sale.

The most common representations are usually of soldiers, Mexican heroes and characters from the pre-Hispanic era.

These small figures wear very well the clothing of other times, highlighting the detailed work and the historical references of the region.

5- Gold and silver jewelry

This accessory is part of the most traditional women's clothing in Oaxaca. Made of filigree, with golden and silver tones, they fall above the woman's torso and remind us of those ceremonial clothes of the past.

This type of handmade jewelry is usually made in several regions: the city of Oaxaca, the Sierra de Juárez or the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

6- Yarns and rugs

In Teotitlán del Valle, the manufacture of rugs and yarns is one of the most important in the region. There are many workshops and families that maintain the practice from generation to generation.

They tend to use rudimentary techniques, but they provide great resistance to the final product. The colors and patterns are made with pigments obtained from plants or insects.

7- Huaraches

The material used in the production of these handcrafted footwear varies depending on the region in which it is produced. For example, some communities use leather, while others use palm.

They are very commonly used shoes. Its popularity has been such that international brands such as Nike have released their own sports version of the huarache.

8- Alebrijes

They are works in wood, specifically made with copal branches. These are usually transformed into animal figures or other types, with a large amount of figurative and decorative details.

They are usually done more frequently in the regions of San Martín Tilcajete and San Antonio de Arrazola. It is estimated that the manufacture of a single piece can take between several months and a year.

9- Oaxacan textiles

Oaxacan textiles vary in their patterns and colors depending on the region in which they are produced, but they tend to be very popular and have great importance in the artisan field throughout the state.

Feminine garments tend to predominate, with patterns inspired by ancient aboriginal clothing. The colors and patterns used often identify the region in which it was made.

Dresses, overcoats, skirts, bags, blouses, huipiles, tangles and regional costumes are just some of the garments that are manufactured. Silk and velvet are usually the most common materials in making.

10- Oaxacan cutlery

It is a practice inherited from the colonial era. The artisanal making of cutlery has remained almost intact through the years.

Currently Oaxaca offers to those interested a great variety of knives, machetes, stilettos, daggers and swords. These pieces stand out for containing engraved popular sayings or Oaxacan landscapes.

References

1. Escudero, AV (February 16, 2017). Crafts and textiles: a little piece of Oaxaca. Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
2. Hernández-Díaz, JZ (2001). Crafts and artisans in Oaxaca. Oaxaca de Juárez: State Institute of Public Education of Oaxaca, Mexico.
3. Oaxaca Mine. (sf). Oaxaca handicrafts. Obtained from Oaxaca Mío: oaxaca-mio.com
4. Ramirez, V. (June 14, 2016). These are the most beautiful crafts in Oaxaca. The universal.